We just came back from a month's trip to the Holy Land. We have stayed at this convent for 3nights. The first night we were lucky to be the only guests/ pilgrims on this huge convent!

The Marie-Jeanne at the reception gave us the best room facing the Basilica of the Annunciation. Only Casa Nova (a few meters down and more people on the same little street can be any closer to the gates of the Basilica). All the windows of our room opened to the facade of the basilica including the bathroom windows! marie-Jeanne was also so nice to offer us to wash and dry our clothes in exchange for a prayer to include her.

The rooms are big! we were a couple and they gave us 3 beds. The rooms are also bright, modern and clean. Most convents/pilgrim houses we've stayed in the Holy land are small and slightly outdated BUT not this one.

Since we took the bus from Jerusalem, the bus had brought us in front of the "mall" on Paul Street (nazareth does not have a bus station but rather buses stop here en route to tiberias) . This is literally in front of the Basilica. You just have to walk around the Basilica before Paul St forks on the intersection and this convent. It was just a 5-10minute walk.

Some additional bonuses: The convent has great views of the city at the third floor 9great for watching sunrises/sunsets). On a archaeological stand point, the entire convent, stands on the ancient st century Nazareth Village that is connected to the major excavation (now a museum part of the Basilica of the Annunciation). It has an intact ancient jewish tombs, arches, cisterns, etc...The cloister was also lovely to eat meals or just read a book. If you need to be online, the convent has access to a computer.

If you want an urban retreat experience in the Holy Land, this is it. Outstanding staff and small but very clean rooms. Quiet retreat but literally steps from the market, the Basilica and shops. Rooftop terrace a sublime thrill. Breakfast is simple but with the freshest sesame bread. Not a "hotel" but a genuine religious pilgrim house.

I arrived at Nazareth New City at 9.30pm, and phoned the convent to see if they had vacancies. So, in effect, I checked in with 15 minutes of notice and the sisters there couldn’t have been more helpful. The 10.30pm curfew and early 10am check-out may put one or two people off but I can honestly say that I’ve never, ever stayed somewhere for such a short-time, and enjoyed it so much.

I paid 180 NIS for a single-room with en-suite bathroom but without breakfast, and it was the cleanest place I’d ever stayed in. It was quiet, and the shower was top, top quality. A very good toilet, and plenty of plugs to recharge the camera or mobile phone. The courtyard is beautiful, as was the roof which its magnificent view of Nazareth. There’s also an air-con, but no TV or wi-fi though you could pick up someone else’s on the rooftop.

If I were to point out the drawbacks, they are pretty minor matters: such as the squeaky bed or the thinnish walls which meant I could hear the person snoring next door. But really, I have no obvious complaints about this convent, which is magnificent and superbly-located, being next to the Basilica of the Annunciation. I really cannot emphasise enough just how clean the place is.

Location is great. Grounds are very nice if you are lucky you might arrange a visit to the herodian tomb and other ruins below the convent, with a nice guiding and it is free.
Breakfast is basic, bread, jam and cheese. But the rooms are spotless, new, beds are great and linens white and really nice. Not forgetting really nice and helpful staff. One of best stays in Israel.